U.S. women’s national soccer team forward Trinity Rodman has candidly expressed concerns regarding the chronic back issues that have affected her career since her rookie season. Following her return to the field this year, she stated, “Honestly, I don’t think my back will ever be 100 percent.”

Struggles with Injury

Rodman, who resumed play for the Washington Spirit earlier this month, was sidelined for nearly a month due to exacerbation of her long-term back condition, first identified during her debut season in 2021. She demonstrated her resilience by participating in the Spirit’s playoff campaign last November, despite the challenges posed by her injury.

Reflecting on her situation, Rodman emphasized the importance of managing her condition rather than seeking a definitive cure. “It’s more so management than like a curable fix,” she noted, highlighting the ongoing nature of her back problems.

Impact on Performance

The repetitive nature of her back injury has resulted in Rodman missing critical matches at pivotal moments in her career. Following a successful Olympic campaign in which she played a crucial role in securing gold for the U.S., her injury cast a shadow over her progression into the subsequent NWSL season, where she was nominated for MVP.

“It’s tough for me, coming off of such a good season and the Olympics… it’s like, where am I starting again?” Rodman remarked on the mental challenges of returning from injury, underscoring her desire to regain her prior level of performance.

Upcoming Challenges with the USWNT

As she prepares for the U.S. women’s national team’s upcoming two-match series against Brazil in April, Rodman is focused on balancing her recovery with her aspiration to contribute effectively to her team. This series marks her first time on the national roster since the Olympics, with new head coach Emma Hayes advocating for a cautious return to play.

Hayes has proactively engaged with specialists to support Rodman’s rehabilitation and is mindful of the need to tread carefully given the complexity of back injuries. “I have to urge a little bit of caution because she’s had an ongoing back complaint,” Hayes acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of allowing Rodman to ease back into the team’s dynamics.

Support from the Coaching Staff

Rodman expressed appreciation for Hayes’s supportive approach, noting that the coach actively checks in on her well-being and seeks to facilitate necessary accommodations for her recovery. “It’s been really nice. She’s very supportive and very considerate of all of us,” Rodman said, emphasizing the positive impact of her coach’s attentiveness.